Ducks will race on Elkin Creek

The Yadkin Valley Rotary Club and the Elkin Valley Trails Association (EVTA) are teaming to hold a Ducky Derby and a Turtle Regatta.

At the Pumpkin Festival, toy ducks and turtles will be released into the Elkin Creek and “race” to the 268 bridge.

“The Jaycees and the Wilkes Greenway had used this as a fundraiser in the past,” said Joe Hicks of the EVTA. “The trails and Rotary Club will be sharing the proceeds from the event.”

The trails will be using the money to build bridges along the greenway, and the Rotary Club will donate the money to Tri-C Ministries, Hicks said.

Participants in the turtle and duck race pay $5 and pick which animal they want to race and will be assigned a number, which will be marked on the toy animal. At the Pumpkin Festival the floating toys will be dumped into the creek at the Shoe Factory Dam.

“Boy Scouts will be there to help keep the critters away from the shore and keep the toys moving,” Hicks said. “The winners are the first ones to get to the 268 bridge and the first 20 will win prizes.”

One of the prizes is two free nights in a Marriott anywhere in the United States, Mexico or Canada.

Participants can sign up for the race until the day of the race on Sept. 22 at the Pumpkin Festival.

Sign up locations can be found at 16 downtown businesses including Elk Pharmacy, Harry’s Place, Diana’s Bookstore, Fiddles and Ace’s Pawn Shop.

The race will begin at 5 p.m. on Sept. 22, during the Pumpkin Festival.